Folding receptacle.



PATENTBD JULY 12, 1904..

A. W. WRIGHT.

FOLDING RBGEPTAGLE.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 4, 1001.

N0 MODEL.

Patented July 12, 1904.

PATENT OEEICE.

AUGUSTINE W. WRIGHT, OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA.

FOLDING RECEPTACLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 764,654, dated July 12, 1904.

Application filed November 4., 1901. Serial No. 81,005. (No model.)

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUSTINE W. WRIGHT, a citizen of the United States, residing at P0- mona, in the State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Receptacles, of which I declare the following to be a full and clear description, reference being had to-the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

Thepresent invention has more particularly for its object to provide an improved construction of receptacle more especially adapted for the transportation of perishable productssuch as fruits, vegetables, or the like-and which when not in use may be folded into small compass for shipment or storage.

In the long distance transportation 'of fruit it is highly desirable that a receptacle be provided that is adapted to maintain its contents within a vacuum or partial vacuum or having first had the atmospheric air withdrawn therefrom is adapted to be charged with sterilized or filtered air. It is also desirable that the receptacle should be capable of being folded when not in use and for return shipment into a very small compass in order to economize freight charges in transportation. My present invention provides a receptacle that will fill these important requirements; but while I. have illustrated in the accompanying drawings what l regard as the preferred embodiment of the invention I do not wish the invention to be understood as restricted to the precise details of construction illustrated and hereinafter described, since manifestly modifications may be made within the skill of the mechanic, and features of the invention may be employed without its adoption as an entirety.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a receptacle embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a view in vertical transverse section. Fig. 3 is a view in horizontal section. Fig. 4is a view in cross-section showing the sides of the do sure in folded position. Fi 5 is a fractional view in vertical longitudinfl section.

A designates the bottom of the receptacle, to which arehinged the sides B. Preferably the walls of the receptacle will be made of sheet metal, and in the preferred form of the invention the bottom A and sides B are provided, respectively, with metal strips or cleats a and t, the bottom cleats (n being bent upwarclly at their ends and being pivotally con-' nected, as at c, to the lower ends of the side of this being to enable the sides B to fold compactly one upon the other, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. In order to secure a substantially air-tight joint between the sides B and the bottom A of the receptacle, I interpose flexible strips U, such as rubber cloth or the like, along the joints between the sides B and the bottom A. The strips C may be ccmented to the edges of the sides B and of the bottom A, but may be otherwise attached thereto, if desired.

The ends of the receptacle are shown as consisting of downwardly-tapered plates D, which when the receptacle is in use will set against packing-strips E, of rubber, leather, or the like, at the ends of the sides and bottom of the receptacle. Preferably the ends of the sides B and bottom A are formed, respectively, with channels a and b to receive the packing-strips E, the strips being channeled or grooved, as clearly seen in Fig.3, to receive the edges of the end plates D. My object in forming the end plates D with adownward taper, as shown, is to insure a tighter union of the end plates D with the sides and bottom of the receptacle.

From the construction as thus far defined it will be seen that when the sides B are turned to the position shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings the edges of the end plates D will be set within the grooves of the packingstrips E, and the end plates will be forced downward until their lower edges engage the packing-strips at the ends of the bottom of the closure, and when in such position they will give rigidly to the receptacle and will hold the sides B in extended position, as shown.

If it is desired to use the receptacle with out a cover, this may be done by providing a suitable connection between the ends and sides of the receptacle, so as to prevent the accidental withdrawal of the ends from engagement with the sides and bottom, and inasmuch as the end plates D extend below the hinged points 0 it is obvious that these plates will resist any tendency of the sides B to turn about such points.

The cover F of the receptacle is preferably a metal plate, across which extend clamp-bars F, having notches or perforations f at their ends to receive the upwardly-extending ends of the cleats or strips 7), and in order to retain the cover in position the upper ends of the cleats or strips are provided with means whereby the cover may be tightly clamped against the upper edges of the sides and end plates of the closure. Preferably the upper ends of the cleats or strips 6 are screw-threaded, as shown, and are provided with nuts f.

The under side of the cover f is furnished with a packing-strip j", that will bear upon the upper edges of the sides and ends of the receptacle, and when the nuts f have been turned tightly downward a substantially airtight joint between the cover and the sides and ends of the receptacle will be secured. The cover F will be provided with a suitable hole f through which the air may be exhausted from the interior of the receptacle after the fruit or other perishable products have been placed therein and through which sterilized air may be admitted, if desired. 1t will be understood, of course, that this opening/' will be sealed in any suitable manner, the seal being, preferably, of such character that it may be conveniently removed when the receptacle is to be refilled. *hen my improved receptacle is in use, the parts will have the relative positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, and when the contents of the receptacle have been removed the end plates D will be withdrawn, the sides B will be turned to the position shown in Fig. 4, and the whole may then be packed in very small compass for return shipment or storage. By reference to Figs. 1 and 2 it will be seen that the sides B of the receptacle are cut away, as at 6 in order to permit them to clear the upturned ends of the cleats c.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A folding receptacle comprising a bot tom and sides provided respectively with cleats or strips hinged together, the cleats or strips of the sides being extended above their top edges, removable ends engaging said bottom and sides, and a removable cover above which the ends of the cleats or strips pass and nuts upon the ends of said cleats or strips for holding said cover in position.

2. A folding receptacle comprising a bottom, sides hinged to said bottom, said bottom and said sides being provided at their ends with packing-strips, strips of flexible material interposed between the bottom and sides at their joints, removable ends and means for detacliably holding said ends in engagement with said bottom and sides.

3. A folding receptacle comprising a bottom, sides hinged to said bottom, said sides and said bottom being provided with packing-strips at their ends, detachable ends, and a cover provided upon its under side with a packing-strip adapted to bear upon the upper edges of the sides and ends and means for tightly clamping said cover against the edges of said sides and ends.

AUGUSTINE V. WRIGHT.

Witnesses:

G so. P, FISHER, Jr., ALBERTA ADAMICK. 

